Sign up for a hike to Collier Creek or Caney Creek Falls
Collier Creek Hike
Distance: 3 miles round trip
Leader: Janice Barrett
Rating: Challenging (for experienced hikers only)
Ages 12 and over
Collier is one of the most wildly spectacular canyons and creeks in the Bankhead National Forest. Hikers who come here work for the privilege. Situated just outside of the community of Grayon, Collier Creek snakes it's way to Brushy Creek through a sandstone canyon shaded all the way by thick hemlock forest.The canyon is deep with steep sides that force hikers to be in the water much of the time. The rocky creekbed is slippery and challenges our sure-footedness and balance. This hike is completely off-trail; bush-whacking, some steep climbing, and many creek crossings will be required.
Caney Creek Falls
Distance: 2 options: 2 miles round trip or 3.50 miles round trip (you can decide when you get there)
Leaders: Julia and Joe Bright
Rating: Moderately easy (the 2-mile option) to moderate (3.50 option)
All ages
At the base of Caney Creek Falls is one of the best swimming holes in the forest. The waterfall is one of the most-photographed in Alabama and in the springtime is ringed by blooming mount... |
 Saturday, July 24, 2010
9:00 a.m.
Sign up!
This special hike to visit 2 signigicant glades in the Bankhead National Forest will be led by botanist Kevin England. Both glades are part of the restoration project in the Bankhead. Late July is the time summer glade flowers are in bloom.
The limestone glade at Indian Tomb Hollow will be the first stop. This habitat consists of exposed limestone and very thin, alkaline soils. The plant life found here consists of very specialized species; some having thick and fleshy leaves while others survive the harsh conditions by a very large taproot. Plants that occur here include Eastern False Aloe (Manfreda virginica) and Eastern Prickly-Pear (Opuntia humifusa).
The second stop will require a short hike to the Balls Mountain sandstone glade. Here we will see exposed snadstone and soils that are thin to none at all. These plants have adapted to live in very harsh, acidic conditions. Plants that will be seen here include Menges' Fameflower (Phemeranthus mengesii) and Small-Head Blazing Star (Liatris microcephala).
After signing up, meet at the Warrior Mountains Trading Company (11312 AL Hwy. 33, Moulton, AL) at 9:00 a.m. Park on the south end of the building and come into... |
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 Sipsey River, July 21, 2010
Fall Creek Falls and Sipsey River, July 14, 2010
Kinlock Shelter and Kinlock Falls, July 7, 2010
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At Wild South, every Wednesday in July is Wild Wednesday!
Creeks, critters, canyons and culture will be the focus of our July hikes for families in Alabama's Bankhead National Forest. All ages are welcome to come learn about our forest, the Native Americans and pioneers who lived here and the ecosystems that are being preserved.
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9:00 a.m.
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in advance for one of the following hikes
Sougahoagdee Falls
Leader: Julia Bright
Distance: 3 3/4 miles roundtrip
Rating: Moderate
Ages 12 and over
Sougahoagdee Falls is on a tributary of Brushy Creek, southeast of Grayson. After parking at the bridge on Hickory Grove Road, the hike route follows Brushy Creek through mature Eastern hemlock and beech forest. Waterfalls, sandstone bluffs and towering boulders offer spectacular scenery. Sougahoagdee Falls is a wide, year-round waterfall at the head of a box canyon. Thick ferns, holly and hemlock trees keep it green all year.
Sipsey River at Low Pressure Bridge
Leader: Kevin England, botanist
Distance: Approx. 1 1/2 miles roundtrip
Rating: Moderately easy
All ages welcome
Kevin's hike will begin on the south side of the Sipsey River, off County Road 2, at the site of an old low water crossing. From the bank of the Sipsey River, Kevin will lead hikers in discovering the little creatures that live in our streams. Hikers will follow a small creek upstream into a beautiful canyon to explore the creek, plants, the bluff line and a waterfall that comes off the edge of a huge rock shelter. The sandy beach, shallow water and a nice swimming hole make this a perfect summer day cooling-off spot.
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 Saturday, June 5, 2010
9:30 a.m.
Holmes Chapel Falls and Brushy Creek
Holmes Chapel Falls
Rating: Moderately easy
All ages welcome
This will be a 2-part adventure on the eastern side of the Bankhead National Forest. Holmes Chapel Falls is a beautiful waterfall on a tributary of Rush Creek. The 1/2 mile or less hike to the falls follows a small stream through a forest of mature Eastern hemlock and hardwoods. There is no trail, but the terrain is fairly uncomplicated. As in any rocky canyon area, uneven ground, blown-down trees, a few briars and some brief stretches of steep uphill climbing can be expected. We will also explore the top of the waterfall, which is a wide expanse of sandstone in a glade-like area.
Next, we will drive about 3 miles to Brushy Lake, have a picnic lunch, then hike the trail on the west side of the lake that will take us along the base of some very dramatic sandstone bluffs. From the old CCC dam, we will follow Brushy Creek downstream, enjoying the scenery, flowers and the aqua-critters that live in the shallow creek water. This hike will be about 1 1/4 miles roundtrip, with the option to stop and hang out for those who want to sit and bask (we'll catch you on the way back). There is a $3.00 per carload fee at Brushy Lake
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Hikes
